To expand our knowledge from material domains
up to spiritual domains

Epistemology is the way we can understand the world, the means we can use
to gather knowledge on reality. Today science claims to be the champion
of the knowledge of the world. But it is obviously incomplete: while it is very
good in physics, it is average in medicine, and it is unable to
apprehend ethics, the nature of consciousness, or the meaning of life.
The purpose of General Epistemology is to correct this bias.
But for this it does not question traditional science methods. Right on
the contrary, it generalizes the worthy science methods to the «abstract»
domains, which are the most relevant for us.

General Epistemology wants to be a mean to (at last) realize the project
of the Century of Enlightenment, or of great scientists like Einstein, or science
fiction writer such as Jules Verne: an universal science, able to tackle the great
interrogations of life, to find solutions to the great problems, not just
creating bombs or washing machines. A curious science, an open science, in line
with the expectations of citizens, not a petty science which denies the very
existence of what it cannot explain.

General Epistemology is not an «alternative science», and it
clearly places itself away of this kind of approach. It removes nothing to traditionnal
sciences, right on the countrary it uses
the classical methods already used in «exact
sciences», such as mathematics or physics, and, through some indispensable
adaptations, generalizes them to the «abstract» domains such as
metaphysic, ethics, study of the consciousness or spirituality, in order to
obtain an objective knowledge of these domains. Of course some limitations appear
into this process, understandable or unexpected, but the most relevant result
is that these domains are no longer an open field for «beliefs»,
«opinions», or cults. On the contrary we obtain a rich and human
science, which comfort out hearts.

Dealing with «abstract»
facts such as consciousness requires to check their metaphysical
statute: how can consciousness exist, if it is not material? For
this, we need to examine the metaphysical conceptions of classical
science, which are based on matter. But this, curiously, leads to a
completely different understanding of physics: matter, space, time
are no longer some absolute «gods», but just an existence
mode among others possible existence modes. This makes that General
Epistemology does not just deals with ethics, it also has much to say in physics.

Scientific recognition?

Knowledgeable persons I could speak with about General Epistemology
showed their interest.

However the scientific recognition of a theory is a complex process entailing its
examination by enough scientists. As far as I know, such a process is not taking place now.
So, any statement as what General Epistemology would be
«not scientifically recognized» would be misleading.
Furthermore, General Epistemology questions a dogma.
And precisely, there must not be dogma in science.
So, to reject General Epistemology without addressing the problem of
this dogma would not be a valid argument,
and even not useful speaking.

The books

I first published «General Epistemology» version 1 in the year 2000,
on paper (ISBN:0-75960-349-9).
This version 1
is still available on
Amazon.com
or with the original publisher:
AuthorHouse (formerly 1stbooks) if they remember their contract.

However online publishers just charge money to put our work on line, but without
advertising it. So this version 1 remained confidential, and could not be
evaluated as I wished. The few comments I got were positive however.

As a consequence of this situation, I decided to put my book on line. I took
profit of this occasion to check it and update it (Yes, things go fast today)
or simply to share the clarification of my ideas. Especially part 4 and 7
are extensively rewritten, to correct some serious errors (not from me,
but from «popularization» newspapers I was referring to, who often
«simplify» science)

The result of this rewriting is «General Epistemology version 2»,
in the process of publishing on this page, with a different chapter order.
In order to avoid any confusion with the previous version, the chapters are
now re-numbered with a roman figure as the part number, an hyphen and
a chapter number in the part.

But I also took profit of this to make a simplified version:
«Peculiar Epistemology version 2»
(as a private lesson, it is more sympathetic than
in the amphitheater) without the complex scientific justifications,
but more understandable for the general public.

A new fact since the version 1 is the persecution of science by ideological
lobying groups,
such as the «climate deniers» manipulators, or some religious fundamentalists.
Of course I defend science, even classical, against
obscurantism and conspirationnist theories.

Epistemology as a method to know reality.
Presentation of classical epistemology, its qualities and its limits.
How to arrive to a General Epistemology, efficacien in in short the three domains of observation:
physics, logics (mathematics) and consciousness. Numerous examples and applications:
how the exclusive use of materialistic epistemology blocks or corupt numerous domains,
including in classical science.

Progressive introduction to metaphysics, without any presupposition, nor spiritualist neither
materialist. How the physical world can exist and appear to us concretely, without any presupposition.
Axioms of the metaphysical science, leading to the notion of existence. The three known domains of existence:
physics, logics (mathematics) and consciousness. How the existence of consciousness can lead to
psychical universes and to the continuation of consciousness after death.

How our metaphysical system leads to modern physics, and none others.
Application to quantum mechanics, the nature of time and of space, the appearance of laws of physics and why they are what they are.

How consciousness exists, in relation with the brain, but with the capacity to escape its material determinisms.
Free-will as an interaction of consciousness on the physics of the brain. The meaning of life, the good and the evil.
The nature of spiritual Transcendence. Thes states of consciousness. Neurosis and sociopathies. Formation of the brain and
education. Varied concepts from the spiritualists or from the New Age. The consciousness of robots.

At stake: what can bring the study of unexplained phenomena. The case of UFOs.
After our metaphysics, interpretation of UFOs, parapsychological phenomena, phenomena displayed by dying saints, etc.
as interactions of consciousness into the physical world

This part aims at evaluating the probability of meeting extraterrestrial life, and what would be the consequences if this happened. Using the framework of the Drake Equation, we evaluate the formation of planets with some original theories, and the probability of planets suitable for life. Then we try to understand how life appeared, and the time required for it to arrive to civilization. This leads to our closest neighbour being at about 50 to 100 light years, and a strong Fermi paradox: why the abundance of civilization did not led to encounters on Earth. There is thus something we do not yet understand. Discussion: the interstellar travel, the communication means, the unexpected evolution paths of civilizations, leading to several original and plausible solution of the Fermi paradox, and a first detection within some years or decades

General Epistemology

Here is the version «in Latin», for those who love complicated things:

The axioms of the Sets Theory, far from being absolute, results from a clear choice, which already induce the results we expect to be demonstrated from the Sets Theory. So Aristotelian logic is only for objects clearly separated from each other, and also which properties can always be stated perfectly true or perfectly false.

This is a non-Aristotelian logic I discovered, which is very powerful. In a Yin-Yang dialectic, we introduce a notion of progressive harmonisation between the two terms, thus making two axes, one Yin-Yang horizontal, and one good/bad vertical. In numerous very concrete social, psychological... problems, (commented examples) this approach is able to remove many confusions, source of conflicts and suffering.

What does determine which logic is to be used? Each of them matches with different sets of properties of objects in reality, on which we can check if it is efficient or not, valid or not. In History, various cultures and tradition in the world developed various logics, but each of these gifts belongs to the whole mankind.

A transcendent reality cannot be completely described with an unique conceptual system. Several systems, with different axioms or logics, are indispensable to give an approximate but comprehensive enough understanding of such a reality. Example: The notion of God, psychology, Buddhist studies.

General Epistemology

Second part: Epistemology

Epistemology is the science of knowledge: how to acquire knowledge on the world. An epistemology is a method to explore and know reality, most often based on the notion of evidence. The basic type is scientific epistemology. Classical scientific or physical epistemology: notions of evidence, reproducibility, testimony, testability, theory, role of institutions, peers referee...

If science today, as a mean to know the world, triumphs in physics and techniques, it is however remarkably absent in immaterial domains such as spirituality, ethics, meaning of life... to such an extend that many say that such domains «are not science»! How could an exact science have itself restricted its scope to the material world? It is because the notion of reality has been confused with the notion of matter! We can pass over this deadlock, as we already do in mathematics, science of the immaterial. Attempt to use the same method on consciousness. To avoid such mistakes, need of a new generalized epistemology, efficient in all the domains.

When classical scientific epistemology considers only material evidences, General Epistemology keeps with the same methods, but extends the notion of evidence to other domains, such as ethics and spirituality. This allows, to some extents, to generalize notions like science, objectivity and accuracy into such domains. Notion of spiritual evidence. Reproducibility and testability in the spiritual domain. A new epistemology is feasible, but it arises new questions, as the psychological bias cannot simply be eluded, as in physics: it has to be tackled or eliminated with entirely new methods. Peer referee.

Even if a new spiritual epistemology does not allow us to simply answer to naive questions such as «does God exist?», it does allow us to explore our human mind and to build a rational and non-arbitrary ethics. In facts such an epistemology does exist since centuries among Buddhist thinkers.

Rationality is a pragmatic mind using efficient means to reach a goal, but still able of self-criticism and self-questioning. But rationalism is an ideology which cannot tolerate what is does not control. So it can be socially dangerous. Opposition rational and material science versus spiritual irrational belief: unfolding with quadripolar logic. Pointing at two new terms: scientistism, and exact spiritual science. Short glossary of words such as science, scientism, rational, rationalism...

Various ideologies arbitrarily brought up to the rank of scientific truth: scientistism, rationalism, materialism, atheism, amorality, race and genes, economy theories, positivism, sociobiology, behaviorism, gender studies, reductionism... with as a bonus some New Age blunders. While keeping in mind that all these are only deviations of still valuable groups...

Some themes, nevertheless within reach of classical material science, are not studied by it, with as a pretext that such matters are «not scientific». Such an (irrational) attitude is counterproductive, as it can lead to neglect interesting discoveries, or to obliterate major facts and aspects of our lives, and contributes to the extension of really irrational ideas rather than fighting them. It can even be found socially dangerous and reprehensible. Examples: natural health systems, extraterrestrial life, ecology, mind and spirituality, traditional and religious knowledges, Near Death Experiences (NDE), reincarnation, spiritual powers, UFOs, rare phenomena, ethics, Quantum mechanics predictions... Even if some are still awaiting for definitive demonstration, we may consider these facts as observational facts, in agreement with our general epistemology.

The study of unexplained phenomena was regularly hampered by hoaxes, »skeptics», manipulations, etc. Still more serious, in a domain where the thought itself can modify the results of the experiments, we need to take some specific cautions, like »shielding» the research against these parasitic influences, in a kind of «Faraday cage». Psychophysics also has some specific dangers and ethics requirements.

General Epistemology

Third part: Metaphysics

Without taboos, we are free to speak about metaphysic. We can define metaphysics as the study of the causes of the universe and its laws. The existence of our material universe can only result from metaphysical facts, and not the contrary.

Even in mathematics, one can never demonstrate something in an absolute way. Everything exists only in relation with an indemonstrable basis, which often contains a paradox. Such a situation, far from being a problem, even allows us for a creative freedom. Examples.

To generalize the previous chapter to our material universe, and then to all the universes, which can all be interpreted as a logical chain of causes and effects, able to generate a «space» and a «time» which are totally equivalent to ours.

The basic mistake of science is to define all that exist as what we can observe with our sensory organs. So we cannot understand why this observable universe «exist», why it is «concrete», when others should be «abstract». What does «matter» means in the modern physic point of view. Criticism of naive physics, of positivism. How do the sensory organs work, leading to the feeling of «concrete existence», from an universe which has no such absolute existence. Peculiarly nasty death delivery to the notion of absolute material existence.

The base postulates of General Epistemology: a consciousness existing in another «abstract» universe can be conscious as us, and experience the same feeling of «concrete reality» as us, thus demonstrating that our universe is also a logical self-generated system, no more «real» than any other. Levels of reality. Stable existence of our universe.

Without any physical mean to test our hypothesis, we must try to find a mean to observe what may happen in other universes. Only consciousness experiences may provide such a mean. A crazy and messy experiment. A wiser Tibetan experiment.

Parapsychological facts, if they exist, get a rational explanation through this theory, as well as being a valid proof of it. So it is scientifically correct to undertake an objective study of them. If we consider the consequences in terms of happiness and even of life, it is all the more humanly very important to study them. Such facts also make firm the existence of an immaterial conscious principle, against the scientistic reductionistic view.

Parapsychological facts, if they exist, get a rational explanation through this theory, as well as being a valid proof of it. So it is scientifically correct to undertake an objective study of them. If we consider the consequences in terms of happiness and even of life, it is all the more humanly very important to study them. Such facts also make firm the existence of an immaterial conscious principle, against the scientistic reductionistic view.

This presentation of quantum physics, the one taught in the faculties, does not pretend to be exhaustive, but rather at presenting in what quantum physics is different of our usual conception of material physics. Interferences between electrons, tunnel effect, Aspect experiment... are all much simpler to explain as logical self-generation process, rather than some which tricks on an absolute matter. And without mystery or paradox.

Time, elusive and mysterious for materialism, can be explained very easily and straightforwardly as the running of the logical self-generation process, perceived as the time passing by. Relativity and time, arrow of time and entropy, temporal loops, time and History of the universe.

Similarily, space does not appears as existing by itself, but as the structure (in the meaning of the Sets Theory) of the sets of the nibs. Thus, what the physicists call the properties of space are in facts only constants of the logical self-generation process. Thus space appears as an emerging property, like the notions of pressure in statistical thermodynamics. A simulation to prove it.

This chapter reasons step by step: Relativistic effects as a perspective perception of the abstract Minkowski space. Placement of nibs in space, first, in a classical interpretation, then after the logical self-generation process. How the nibs generate space. Interpretation in Special Relativity, then in General relativity (gravitationnal field).

Weak (random) anthropic principle, strong (creationist) anthropic principle. Another interpretation, the logical feedback, can strongly influence the evolution of life, giving the appearance of a creation. But it may too be a major cause for some laws of physics.

Laws of conservation. Gravitation. Heisenberg uncertainties and fuzzy space at small scale. Properties of vacuum. Some laws of physics result from logical contrains, others were created during casual events (during the Big Bang).

If photons are only energy exchanges between two nibs, then there is no need to suppose «something» which moves along their trajectory. If so, then the fields too can be interpreted as the influence of a great number of nibs, instead of being mysterious entities existing by themselves. Physicists however proceed in the reverse way: photons are just perturbations of the field. These two points of vies are non dual. This discussion leads to a general demonstration of all the universes being quantum, including consciousness universes, from the mathematical impossibility to solve the general case of differential equations with continuous functions.

The theory of the logical self-generation predicts that new laws of physics can appear when the existant laws lead to a logical indetermination (Version 1 of this book). This was actually observed in the RHIC experiment at Brookhaven. So, the appearance of laws of physics does not come from mysterious causes, but only from the prevailing physical conditions when it happens. Example of the appearance of the three generations of particles. We can go further: the brain can provoke such an indetermination at the level of neurons. Example of the free will, which must necessarily violate the laws of physics.

General Epistemology

Fifth part: Consciousness

Dispelling the pseudo-scientific explanations of consciousness. Its true definition as a logical self-generation process, independent on the physical brain, yet strongly determined by it. The appearance of consciousness in Evolution and at birth. Comparison with the «soul» of the religions. The possibility of the influence of consciousness on the brain.

Definition of free will as a transfer of information from the consciousness to the brain. If reasoning and emotional sensitivity can bring some freedom, they are not such occasions of escaping the material determinism of the neurones. Such an occasion necessarily violates the laws of physics, appearing as a parapsychology phenomena, diffuse or obvious. Free will, legal liability and spiritual responsibility, in front of the horror of the condition of the psychological consciousness.

The 1) RHIC experiment, with violation of the symmetry of particles, and the 2) violation of the laws of physics of the neurons under the action of free will, have a common logical basis: after the theory of the logical self-generation, a logical indeterminism produces the appearance of a new self-generation law. Examination of the functioning of a decision-making neural network, and how free will can produce a «magical moment», a temporary domain acting as if it was one of the learnings of the network.

Free of any physical determinism, consciousness produces itself its own purposes. To objectively find the purpose of life is then very simple, and allows in the step to define objectively and precisely the good and the evil, happiness, freedom, and morals, safe of any quibbling or dogmaticism.

A simple answer to the essential question of the Transcendence, as a common logical cause to a great number of physical or consciousness phenomena. Its paradoxical nature makes it unprovable, while allowing each of us to decide its existence. Scientific and religious interpretation.

How to understand paradoxes. Consciousness and scientific objectivity. The principle of economy of absurdity. The magical moment and logical self-generation law of consciousness. Entropy and consciousness. God is noble beautiful and magical...

Interpretation of the various states of consciousness after the theory of consciousness being a logical self- generation process interacting with the brain: waking state, sleep, dream, meditation, sleep paralysis (so called «abduction»), OBE, instants of superawareness, memory, coma.

Same as previous, more a fine analysis of the different steps of the NDE, and what they tell us on the way the consciousness is connected on each part of the brain. Insight on the spiritual worlds and how reincarnation may happen.

The evolution of consciousness, from the animal to the neurological consciousness. The spiritual evolution, as a mean to escape the neurological consciousness. What is really the ego, why it is necessary to destroy it, and what happens when we do it. Scientific analysis of the concepts of high spirituality, and explanation of the parapsychological phenomena which accompany it.

The usual state of a person without spiritual or psychological introspection practice, is the psychological (or neurological) consciousness, which appears under the form of a set of neurosis. How the neurosis manipulates us, the opinions, the neurosis of the «social order», the psychological bias, the positive neurosis, and especially how we get out of this mess: psychoeducation, which leads to the psychoeducated society.

A detailed analysis of the manipulation methods of the sociopaths, and their role in politics: ponerology. We have more chances to heal children sociopaths, if we start by stopping the ostrich policy about them.

after some basic reminders, the self-adjustment process of the brain, then the self-building process of the brain by self-building mechanisms. How the variations and failures of these mechanisms can lead to the variety of abilities, tastes, orientations, see of mental troubles, without a simple relation with the genes.

At the light of the previous chapter, education as a way to develop free and happy persons. The maturation of the brain, the basis of sensual and emotional education, psychoeducation, and the acquisition of knowledge. The education systems.

Can consciousness appear in an artificial brain? How we shall treat these consciousnesses, in a world where the official religion denies consciousness? The criterion for the free will in robots. Discussion on the projects to escape death with reincarnating in robots: it is not enough to make a copy of the brain...

The purpose of life found in chapter V-5 allows to base an ethics which is objective, constant and independent of the culture. The three fondations of ethics. Their metaphysical basis and their spiritual implications.

The simplicity of the foundations of ethics seen in the previous chapter must not hide the complexity of the real situations to which they apply: non-Aristotelian situations, dependency situations, the categories of persons, and the difficulties to guide people. This chapter does not offer any miracle solution, but numerous intellectual tools, some original, others which already demonstrated their huge efficiency.

This chapter deduces the main rules themselves of ethics: respect of the persons, fundamental rights, fulfilling the needs, etc. Conventions like property and power are also discussed in a critical way: their massive use today does not make of them self-existing facts impossibles to change.

This chapter analyses the numerous problems specific to this domain: biological basis of the desire, and its use by consciousness. Origin of the varied desires, and their consequences. The general conclusion is freedom, non-dual with the need to respect the sensitivity of others. This mostly translates into not showing our activities in public, and especially in the refusal of forced conversions.

Analyse of the various types of unions, in the perspective of the preservation of the happiness of their members, and the fulfilment of the needs of the children who depend of them. Relationship between the union and with society at large. Definition of the true love, and how to maintain it. Children's rights. Impact on children of practices such as surrogate mothers, homosexual adoption, etc.

Basic reminders on ecology, it scientific and spiritual connexions. How society in general, and especially economy, must be inserted in ecology cycles. Technical, social or spiritual solutions. The human need to live in a natural world, with other forms of life.

The true role of economy: to meet the survival needs and expression needs of everybody. Analysis of the existing systems. The fair solution, True Economy, is based on altruism instead of egocentricity. However it can work only in Non-Action. By lack of it, a control is always needed in an economy functioning into neurosis and egocentricity.

Even Aesthetics lies on some objective basis, which appeared along the Evolution, and which define our humanitity. The exemple of flowers. The relationship with the body and its definition of humanity.

The stories of clans and power taking are only childish games, or smoking. The true purpose of politics is to serve society and the persons, with taking general decisions in this way. Analyse of the existing systems, in order to unravel the good one, based on a non-dual cooperation between the various activities.

How the dualistic opinions systematically paralyse the votes, leading to the hackneyed 49-51% opposition between two nearby identical parties. Study of a possible solution to gather positive votes, and a network to work together.

Although we are not under a dictatorship, people are still submitting to parasitic powers, or anti-freedom anti-life «establishments», that nobody can stop or neutralise. Negative egregores. Secret powers.

Psychoeducation allows people to control their society without ever being parasited by an «establishment». Fractal structure of the decision power. Hints at what could look like such a society: non-violence, freedom, social recognition and abondance for everybody, ecology, nature, spirituality, beauty, variety.

The various causes which may bring the disappearance of Humanity. If a total disappearance is unlikely, the today idioties can still bring large reductions of the population, or a totalitarian stasis blocking our evolution. Clearly the war against evil is not won in advance.

Study of an ideal society in the short run. The various methods to control our evolution: psychoeducation (the less expensive), spiritual evolution, eugenism, Darwinian evolution (the most expensive) Study of the evolution in the long run.

History of the phenomenon and of the attitude of society toward it. Reductive disinformation (debunking) and boosting disinformation (conspiracy theories). The scientific studies of UFOs. «Abduction», «contactees»

The most extraordinary UFO sightings involve objects (that many call «spaceships») and the appearance of characters (that many call «extraterrestrials»), and above all ununderstandable violations of nearby all the laws of physics. Attempt of explanation of what happens, with the logical self-generation theory. Some difficult but possible tests.

If we consider a psychophysical phenomena as an exchange of information between a physical self-generation system and a consciousness self-generation system, then it also appears in specific ways. Attempt of classification of these phenomena according to the direction the information exchange takes place.

General Epistemology

Eighth part: Extraterrestrial life

The purpose of this part, entirely new, is to evaluate the probability of encountering an extraterrestrial life, and the consequences if this happened. We shall start with the study of the different factors of the Drake equation. But about the fate of the civilisations, we shall use the data of the fith part on consciousness, and of the sixth part on society.

An original depiction on the way planets form and differentiate from a cosmic cloud. This model accounts with the varied observed solar systems, without requiring rare or extraordinary events. Evaluation of the fp factor of the Drake equation. Recent observational confirmations.

A simple and well known statistical model shows how live is forced to evolve at a regular pace, as long as the right conditions are provided, leading to a mandatory appearance of civilisation. Evaluation of the fi factor of the Drake equation.

How long a civilization lasts, L, depends on their mind (capacities, decisions, etc.) hence the qualification of spiritual for the two last terms of the Drake equation. Especially, as it is visible with us today, their capacity to last is narrowly depending on the development of psychoeducation. But once this capacity is established, the civilizations can engage into radically different paths, which will give very different fc values for the different SETI detection modes.

Without prejudice, how can civilisations really travel in space. There does not seem to exist any really practical way, and the least difficult method is not huge spaceships transporting generations of people. We also consider spiritual means or UFOs, but they do not seem either to allow for easy space travel.

We start with establishing the consequences of psychoeducation on the behaviour and social organization of possible extraterrestrials. Then how can organise a possible galactic civilization, depending on their modes of existence and their communication methods.

After discussion the various existing or possible SETI detection methods, a quick assessment shows that the Fermi paradox especially arises for intentional signals: the cause of the paradox is in the way extraterrestrial behave toward us, or toward each other. We discuss several possible explanations, and end up with recommendations for the SETI search.